For the past 2 weeks, Nigel Petillo and the rest of the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Organization (B(i)GYEA), have been making the media rounds to complain about their latest dispute with the Lands Department.
After 3 years of lobbying the Government, they finally started making strides in trying to get their fledgling community, Harmonyville, off the ground. So, they've come a long way from squatting in land to actually having lease and land titles after the Government set aside 1,327 acres of land between miles 41 and 42 on the Western Highway.
The problem now is that as part of the development scheme for the community, both BGYEA and the Lands Department agreed that 29 acres of land which separates the community from the Western Highway would be designated as a Buffer area, sort like a road reserve. There were families which were encroaching on the buffer area and with the help of the Government, BGYEA managed to relocate them.
It turns out that BGYEA wanted to use these 20+ acres to plant corn, which they claim will be sold and the proceeds will go toward developing the community in terms of putting in roads. 3 weeks ago, the Lands Department found out that BGYEA had entered into an arrangement with businessman Sam Patton to clear the land and plant corn. They issued a cease and desist order against Patton, and informed BGYEA that they needed to apply for special permission to plant corn in the buffer area. Petillo and the other executive members did write to the Government requesting it, but Cabinet denied the request.
Petillo and BGYEA still intend to do work in the buffer area, but yesterday Government got an injunction issued against them restraining anyone from the Harmonyville community from trespassing into the Buffer area.
This morning, we got a reaction from Petillo, who was determined to ignore the injunction and still plant corn this weekend. Here's how he explained it:
Nigel Petillo, BGYEA
"It tells us again that the government for some reason just feel threaten by BGYEA's approach. The way BGYEA has been governing its members our transparent manner every step of the way. Whenever there is a situation arises at Harmonyville we come to the people, we visit all media stations and we inform you of what's taking place. To threaten to arrest you for planting corn or for standing up for the rights and what you believe in is just not enough. We are not afraid for an injunction, but the signal that the governing is signaling to any other youth, those kids in schools today, those kids who about to become future leaders - my kids, your kids, they are telling you not to stand up. They are telling you that must never challenge authority, you must never challenge decisions that are made by government. They are telling you that if that if they say this is the way it will be, then that is the way it will be."
Daniel Ortiz
"The commissioner of lands is presenting to the media as a statement of fact. He has gone through a comprehensive list of items that the government and the lands department has conceded on to try to accommodate Harmonyville and its members. What's your impression of what he has stated for the record?"
Nigel Petillo, BGYEA
"I will have you know every step of the way Harmonyville we had to fight. Government didn't willingly give us that land. Government didn't willingly open its offices. Government still up to today haven't give us all our papers. What they call it a factsheet - most of that is not factual. Most of those things are an impression that they are trying to create. I can tell you up to today that 1,040 leases have been prepared by the lands department. They have frustrated us more than anything. Up to today some of our members still cannot pay. I, the president of the organization still can't get my title yet and I have paid a long time too."
"I know that the show is to just to throw out to the public. I want the public to pay keen attention, when you see BGYEA on the move it's because we are representing you, we are trying to get it done for you and again we await for you to instruct us and tell us what is the next move: should we go and plant corn Saturday? Will you be there to plant corn Saturday with us? Are you prepared to be arrested and in prison for planting corn?"
Reporter
"Are you prepared to be arrested and imprisoned?"
Nigel Petillo, BGYEA
"I am ready Hipolito. Are you? I am ready to plant corn."
As you heard, Petillo was going to move ahead with his plans, which would have undoubtedly forced a confrontation between them and the Government. Their attorney, Audrey Matura-Shepherd managed to convince them not to take such drastic measures, but she told us that her clients believe that Government has acted in bad faith:
Audrey Matura Shepherd
"I advised to my client which they have agreed to say publicly and which is their position as well is that they will obey the injunction. They will obey any order of any lawful court. I will tell you this much: the government has acted in really bad faith and this issue is beyond the issue that goes at the courts. This issue should be one of great public interest to everyone because what they have to realize is that when the state move its might and its power against a small group of men who are trying to work, they are not stealing, they are planting corn. They are not planting illicit drugs, they are planting corn - then we have to question the governance in this country, so it's beyond a court case."
The case goes back before the court on June 13, where BGYEA will try to convince the court that they should be allowed to cultivate in the buffer area.
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